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Stick to one material. Choosing a theme for your mantelpiece display is a helpful way to impose some stylistic order. Try picking items made from the same material. Here glass objects of various sizes look fresh and pretty on this mantel but you could choose to group wooden ceramic silver or brightly painted items.

The Greek‐key‐patterned pillow above combines many of the elements used in the room. It's a classic print that has a modern graphic look. The pewter beading detail and champagne color bring in the gray‐brown tones used throughout the room.

Art. If your tastes run to the whimsical or eclectic consider hanging art in front of a window. This creates an unexpected statement and is especially effective in contemporary condos that have no other place for art.

Here the classic silver vase looks great but I favor a simple glass vase as it catches light beautifully and goes with anything. Flea markets and yard sales are great hunting grounds for bargain antiques. Personal treasures. Your bedroom should be personal to you so be sure to display some of your treasured keepsakes. The glass dome on the bedside here could be used for a favorite ornament or maybe flowers from the first bouquet your sweetheart ever bought you. Bedside classics. Bedside books are accessories in their own right. I'm not suggesting you only read attractive books but stack a few old classics carefully chosen from a vintage bookstore and you have a gorgeous arrangement. A structured wall light. Wall lights save space on your bedside table for that pile of classic novels. Remember to keep everything in scale though – these would look lost on a big blank wall above your bed. Above‐the‐bed artwork. Without a huge ornate headboard or an architectural feature chances are you will need something above your bed. Pictures are wonderful but be sure they are themed. I like perfectly spaced symmetrical arrangements (rows of three work really well) which fit with traditional styling perfectly. Random shapes sizes and frame types also can look good especially if you are going for a more rustic feel but they're harder to get right. Just be sure to keep with a theme and keep the spacing equal. Something playful. I love to add a touch of humor to my styling and accessories are the perfect vehicle. This fish cushion makes me smile. You could also use a framed picture that introduces an element of fun to your room.

Go for an elegant look. "The inspiration for this bathroom was elegant glamour" says Jamie Herzlinger of Jamie Herzlinger Design. "The easiest way to get elegance into your bathroom is by using a frameless shower because it keeps the look clean and sleek". Embrace minimalism. "We were looking to have the colors of the limestone tile bounce light around the room and to use few if any noticeable details in keeping with our firm's philosophy of embracing minimalism" says David Webber of Webber + Studio Architects. Infuse a sense of calm. "I was inspired by the tranquil river and landscape surrounding this home to create a peaceful sanctuary that brought the outdoors in" says Justine Sterling of Justine Sterling Design. "The frameless shower design was key in creating transparency openness and a sense of calm". Invite nature to be your guest. "This master bath is in a summer home on a lake and the back of the house faces the woods" says Nora Schneider of Nora Schneider Interior Design. "The shower faces an entire wall of windows overlooking the woods and I wanted to invite nature in as an evergreen guest".

Graywater reuse. It's a little crazy that we use potable drinking water to flush our toilets. Aqus is a simple system that routes used sink water (graywater) through a filter and disinfectant and into any nearby toilet tank for use in flushing. Being water smart couldn't be easier.

One smart solution to saving a new mom's sanity is incorporating a daybed or sofa into the nursery decor. This extra seating can serve as a comfortable spot to sit with your little one or to crash on those extra‐difficult nights. Creating a daybed in the nursery is as simple as pushing a box spring and mattress to the wall and adding a few comfortable pillows. The daybed shown here has the appearance of a lush sofa with the size and comfort of a full‐size bed. Thanks to stores such as Ikea and sites like Craigslist finding an inexpensive sofa can be a simple task. If the fabric isn't exactly what you had in mind don't rule out the piece. Try draping a blanket or quilt over the cushions to freshen up the look. If adding an extra bed or couch to the nursery has you concerned about space planning consider placing the crib at an angle. This will keep the furniture in the room from hugging the walls and will help open up the space. If you incorporate the extra bed into the nursery decor you will have less redecorating to do when the time for a big‐kid bed rolls around. Many young families enjoy spending time in the baby's nursery. The rooms are often peaceful calming spaces so adding a few toys for older siblings like the stuffed animals and rocking horse shown here will help them feel right at home too. Having a cozy spot for nursing or to rest with baby is a nice way to pamper yourself during those first few tiring months that baby's home. When you're no longer spending as much time in the room you can easily remove the extra furniture and place it in other areas of the home.

Use fancy little trays to collect and curate your bath items; place a few bath oils and soaps on one a cluster of votive candles on another. Potted plants are a wonderful way to add mystery and depth. Try ferns orchids or a palm. Mood lighting is key for the spa escape look so look beyond the standard choices for interesting light fixtures. I adore Moroccan hanging lanterns; hung alone or in a cluster they add a big punch of style and cast an amazing glow. Cultivate the feel of a five‐star European hotel with rich materials glossy finishes and a tightly edited black and white palette. Search vintage shops for a small glass‐front cabinet to use for towel storage. Paint it in the glossiest darkest black you can find then fill it with fluffy white towels.

With a new school year upon us now is the perfect time to give that teen lair an overhaul – and hopefully eke out a bit of quality bonding time in the process. To make this a successful decorating experience it helps to keep an open mind about your teen's creative direction. Recognize that he or she has good ideas and at the same time set clear limits that work for you (a project budget paint but not wallpaper etc.) for results that will make both of you happy in the end. Start an ideabook and create a floor plan. Gather inspiration images and collect the best in an ideabook on Houzz. Just looking at all the images together should help clarify what your son or daughter wants. Once you have the general style nailed down sketch out ideas for the new floor plan. A taller‐than‐average bedside table can do double duty as a desk – a great space saver in a small room. Also think about adding a focal point over the headboard. A quirky sculpture artwork or a pretty textile are all good choices. Just be sure anything that could fall on the bed is very well secured and not too heavy. Think about color and lighting. Once you know the look you are after it's time to think about paint. Use extra‐large paint swatches or get sample‐size amounts to try out colors directly on the wall before buying enough for the whole room to avoid a misstep. Lighting can instantly make the biggest change in a room so now is also the time to create a lighting plan. Add ambience with café lights strung across the ceiling install a dimmer switch for an overhead fixture and don't forget proper task lighting for the homework area.